Strasburg Shut Down? Is he Hurt? Just Mentally

The Nationals didn't know they would be in striking distance of a World Series when they started this season. The only thing they did know is that they would shut down their ace Stephen Strasburg after about 160 innings in 2012.

The thought behind the 160 innings limit was seemingly a doctoral prescription. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, the medical staff recommended limiting Strasburg's innings for this season. That would have been fine and probably noncontroversial if not for the fact that the Nationals are good this year. They are currently at least 6 games in front of any team in the NL East and the probability of making the playoffs is a practical guarantee. Despite this outcome, the Nationals have stood by the fact that they will shut down Stephen Strasburg for the year and fairly soon.

Time went on and the shut down date was within a week. Last night Strasburg pitched terribly for the Nationals going just 3 innings and allowing 5 earned runs in a 9-7 loss to the Marlins. Davey Johnson, the Manager of the Nationals, thinks Strasburg was thinking too much about the impending shutdown. So to solve the problem, the team decided to shut down Strasburg's season now than later in week as was expected. Strasburg finishes the year going 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA and 197 K's. He pitched 159 1/3 innings this season.

And so the stupidest decision in sports history was finally made. I ain't going to sugar coat anything: I think the decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg for the year was the dumbest thing I ever heard of. It would've been one thing if the Nationals as a team still stunk but they don't anymore. They have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball and are a fairly good hitting team. They have a real shot to win a World Series now.

Instead what do they do? They choose the side of caution with one of the players (and asset) and are basically pulling punches for playoffs. Sports are about winning titles and going all in when you can. This is the time to go all in. The excuse that this move is to ensure future title runs is dumbfounded. When it comes to predicting the future in sports, nothing is a guarantee. No one can tell how long a team will stay good. Just ask the Red Sox.

Sports are about trying to win titles when you can. I know franchises have to build for the future but what is the point of doing that when you don't go for the titles your building for?

P.S. Also, there could've been other ways to keep this going. They could've sent him to bullpen duty for a while, started his season later, not listened to the docs and go all in.